Jim Croce – The Way We Used to Be

Guest Author - Chris Curtis

We can't put "Time in a Bottle"but we remember past times through music that has touch our hearts. Jim Croce's music forever lives on in our hearts as we would wish to preserve "Time in a Bottle". His music career, short but highly prolific, left behind a wonderful legacy. In less than 2 years time, Jim produced eight top 40 hits, two of which hit the number 1 spot. His debut album, "Photographs and Memories", was released in 1972, followed by "Life and Times" in early 1973. By this time Jim had become a commercial success and was touring extensively. It all ended tragically on September 20, 1973, when Jim died in a plane crash over Natchitoches, Louisiana. His final album, "I've Got a Name" was release posthumously two weeks later. In less then 2 years, Jim Croce was recognized as one of the most promising artists of the time and is now celebrated as a legendary American singer-songwriter.

Three decades later, on September 13, 2004, Sanctuary records released the most comprehensive chronology of Jim Croce's lifetime work. This 3 disc release, "The Way We Used to Be" contains 83 cuts of Jim's timeless music. It incorporates the music from all three of his commercial releases plus more. Jim's music was deeply rooted in the common man. In the tradition of storytelling ballads, his simple poetic words reach us all. As we listen, we understand Jim truly has put "Time in a Bottle"

Disc One
1. You Don't Mess Around With Jim
2. Tomorrow's Gonna Be A Brighter Day
3. New York's Not My Home
4. Hard Time Losin' Man
5. Photographs & Memories
6. Walkin' Back To Georgia
7. Operator (That's Not The Way It Feels)
8. Time In Bottle
9. Rapid Boy (That Stock Car Boy)
10. Box #10
11. Long Time Ago
12. Hey Tomorrow
13. One Less Set Of
14. Roller Derby
15. Dreamin'
16. Careful
17. Alabama Rain
18. Good Time Man Like Me Ain't Got No Business (Singin' The Blues)
19. Next Time, This Time
20. Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
21. These Dreams
22. Speedball Tucker
23. It Doesn't Have To Be That Way